Apple iPad launch: What does it do?

By TARA EVANS
Updated: 09:41 EST, 28 January 2010

Apple has finally put an end to speculation by unveiling the company's latest creation, the iPad.

• Is Apple's iPad the magic tablet?

Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive unveiled the touchscreen device at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco.

The device, which looks like a large iPhone, can be used to watch films, store photos and browse the web.

Steve Jobs, dressed in his trade-mark jeans and black roll neck jumper, told an audience that the tablet-style device is more intimate than a laptop.

He demonstrated how the iPad is used for surfing the Web with Apple's Safari browser.

He typed an e-mail using an on-screen keyboard and flipped through photo albums by flicking his finger across the screen.

The device also has the firms iTunes software built in, allowing users to purchase songs and movies straight to the device.

It also allows users to download apps, in a similar way to the iPhone. People with both can synchronise their apps between the two devices.

The iPad will be powered by a 1GHz Apple A4 chip, and has 16GB to 64GB of flash storage.

As well as boasting WiFi and Bluetooth, it has a speaker, microphone, accelerometer and compass.

A cross-platform device will will sync photos with Mac and Windows, it has ten hours of f battery life if watching continuous videos.

It is expected to have a battery life of 10 hours video play and one month on standby charge.

The iPad pricing starts at £309 for 16GB model, £371 for 32GB and £433 for the 64GB. To connect to the 3G network will cost £80 extra. There has been no announcement as to when it will be available in the UK.